Following Early A.M. Evacuation Caused by Phone Threat, Operations Resume at Richmond International

June 11, 2013

Richmond International Airport, VA (June 11, 2013) - This morning Richmond International Airport (RIC) received a call of a threatening nature. At about 6:20AM, an orderly evacuation of the terminal was conducted as a precautionary measure. Working with numerous local, state, and federal agencies, the terminal and nearby public areas were swept and ultimately declared clear, allowing the public to be re-admitted to the terminal facility at about 9:40AM.

Approximate Timeline of Terminal Evacuation

6:10AM: Richmond International Airport receives a threatening call.

6:20AM: Nature of call was deemed to present a serious potential risk to the public and the decision was made by RIC Public Safety to evacuate the terminal and nearby parking decks. Notifications were made to mutual aid partners including Virginia State Police, Virginia Capitol Police, Henrico Police and Richmond Police, as well as to other local, state, and federal agencies.

8:00AM: K-9 sweeps underway, conducted by various teams in public areas to include terminal concourses, ticketing, baggage claim and parking decks.

9:20AM: Airline crew, TSA, and other workers in the terminal reassumed work stations.

9:40AM: Terminal re-opened to the public.

While the total impact of the evacuation is unknown, the decision to evacuate the terminal was made during the busy morning push. Passengers and terminal-based workers were evacuated from the building and parking decks, and traffic was held or rerouted to avoid the terminal area. The airport is awaiting information about impact to flights, such as delays, cancellations or diversions.